A farmer in his 60s has been airlifted to Cork University Hospital following a farm accident in Co. Cork yesterday.

An Garda Siochana confirmed to Agriland that the accident happened at approximately 15.30 yesterday afternoon.

The incident happened at Mourneabbey, Mallow, Co. Cork and Gardai from Mallow are currently investigating the matter.

It is understood that the man suffered chest and head injuries as a result of the farm accident and as a result emergency services felt it was necessary to airlift the man to Cork University Hospital.

The scene of the accident is currently preserved and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has been notified and is likely to investigate the incident.

This is the second serious farm accident to occur in Co. Cork this week.

An 83-year-old farmer died following an accident which happened in Co. Cork on Tuesday afternoon, An Garda Siochana confirmed.

The accident happened in Carrigroe, Enniskeane area of the county before 2.30pm.

It is understood that the farmer fell from a vehicle, understood to be a quad bike.

A Garda spokesperson said that the scene had been preserved and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) had been notified.

It brings to three the number of farm fatalities that have happened on Irish farms this November and 18 in total this year.

Farming continues to be the most hazardous occupation in Ireland, consistently reporting the highest number of fatalities in comparison to other sectors over the last number of years, according to the HSA.

In recent years 19 people, on average, have been killed each year in farm related workplace incidents, with 194 farming fatalities in the last decade (2006–2015).